I was in Napa on a random Friday and, after browsing Google Maps, I decided to stop by a small tasting room called Vinoce. From the vintage-inspired décor to the friendly dogs wandering around, everything about this place was charming. One of the dogs, Daisy, had just celebrated her 10th birthday, which made the visit even more special.
Now, this might be a bit controversial, but I’m not the biggest fan of Napa wines or wineries. I often find the wines overly oaked, and the tasting fees can be pretty ridiculous. I’m tired of Chardonnays and Cabernets that taste like they’re all barrel, no fruit. But my tasting at Vinoce? It definitely made me reconsider—at least for the day.
Vinoce, by the way, is a play on Ray’s last name, which means “nut” in German. Essentially, Vinoce means “wine nut.” Love it. Ray and his son, Tim, hosted me that Friday and guided me through their flight of wines. When they found out I studied winemaking at UC Davis and Tim studied wine at Cal Poly SLO, they gave me a few extra pours, which was super generous.
I started with the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, full of bright acidity, tropical flavors like pineapple and mango, and just a hint of grassiness to balance it out. It was so refreshing—perfect for a warm day. After that, Ray poured me the 2023 Piccola Noce Rhone White Blend, another standout. It had vibrant acidity, lemon pith, pineapple, and a slight touch of minerality. A little bit of oak added some complexity and creaminess without overpowering the fruit.
Next up was the 2022 Grappler Zinfandel. This wine has six label variations, each with a different luchador mask. The label comes from Ray and his sons’ high school wrestling days, and the luchador mask is a nod to the local community that keeps Napa running.
One of my personal favorites was the 2022 Piccola Noce Cabernet Sauvignon. Me, enjoying a Napa Cab? Crazy, right?! They unfortunately lost their 2017 and 2020 vintages to the fires, but the 2022 was fantastic. It’s an approachable Cab with aromas of raspberry, blackberry, plum, and a touch of graphite. The tannins are soft, which is probably why I loved it so much.
I also tried the 2019 Vinoce St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon. It was beautifully balanced with grippy tannins and notes of red fruit, cedar, dark chocolate, and just a hint of cherry cola.
I wrapped up the tasting with the 2022 Vinoce Mt. Veeder Cabernet Franc and the 2021 Vinoce Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, both of which were bold and left a lasting impression. I loved the wines so much that I couldn’t leave without bringing a bottle of the 2023 Piccola Noce Rhone White Blend and the 2022 Piccola Noce Cabernet Sauvignon home with me.
Overall, my experience at Vinoce was fantastic, and I know I’ll be back the next time I’m in Napa. If you’re planning a trip, I highly recommend stopping by. Cheers!
